More About Us

Steve Wall (Chairman/Athletics Coach/Jog Leader) has turned his hand to coaching and developing others to put something back into a sport he has enjoyed for over 35 years.

A soldier since 1982, having served in hostile operations spanning the globe, Steve has lots of experience in physical fitness and leadership. He is currently a Company Commander at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate and competing in Army events in England as a veteran, so is still very active.

Previously, he competed at a modest level in middle and long-distance running and is a veteran of 33 marathons.  He once raced in a gruelling 100-mile race in 24 hours in combat gear carrying a pack and from 600 was one of only 2 competitors to complete the challenge. An accomplished runner and navigator, his speciality was orienteering where he managed the Infantry Orienteering Team for 10 years and still competes as a veteran.

A fit body equals a fit mind and fitness is more encompassing than just running, so as Chairman he is delighted to have such an experienced and qualified team of Jog Leaders. Steve’s philosophy in life is that everyone deserves a chance and with Cairngorm Runners there is place for everyone, whether merely walking/jogging or elite club runner, you are all very welcome to join our “friendly” club.

"Whatever your goal - lose weight, run in races, keep fit, maintain or improve health and fitness, feel good, recovery from injury, or train for an event - running with the cairngorm Runners will help you achieve it."

Frances Bain (Vice Chair/Jog Leader) - just loves any activity that takes her outdoors but running keeps her fit enough to enjoy them.

Frances has been running for about 17 years and a long time ago competed for Spenborough Athletics Club in Yorkshire.

Working in national physical activity promotion, she can talk at length about the benefits being active can bring (given half the chance and to anyone that will listen!).

When not running Frances enjoys, walking, climbing, kayaking, biking, skiing and looking after the house full of visitors that living in the Cairngorms brings!

Frances is keen to encourage others to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful paths and scenery we have here.
 

Morgane Artacho (Secretary/Jog Leader) took up running about 4 years ago when she moved to Scotland.

Morgane completed her first 10K with much dread in the company of her husband in 2006.  She's had the running bug ever since and increased her racing distances and terrains over the years. 

She would love to take part in an ultra-distance race at some point, and is looking forward to tackling the local hills after recently moving to Aviemore.

Morgane says: “I hope to be able to inspire people in achieving their greater potential.  I still remember how daunting I found my first race, but with a club like the Cairngorm Runners, there is a wonderful support network to help you get fitter and achieve your wildest running goal”.

Dawn Cranston (Committee Member/Jog Leader/Merchandise Coordinator) - finds running as a group encourages her to do better and achieve distances that she wouldn't do on her own.

Dawn started to run with the Club with the goal to loose weight. 

With the help of the Club Dawn has certainly achieved that goal.  Dawn is quick to point out that she wouldn’t have done it without the Clubs encouragement. Running is now such a huge part of her life, not just for fitness but also the social aspects and Dawn claims to have gained a great circle of friends through running. She has now widened her running field and enjoys duathlon and triathlon events but she faces her biggest test yet when she attempts her first marathon in 2011. Dawn is rightly proud of what she has achieved and openly thanks the Cairngorm Runners for helping to get her to her current high levels of fitness. 

She enjoys being a jog leader and giving back to other people what she has gained - being part of a great club and enjoy running with a great bunch of people.

"The scone on a Sunday is the highlight though, the club wouldn't be the same without Sunday runs."

Alan Riach (Jog Leader/Jog Leader Co-ordinator) - since his schooldays, he has had a passion for distance running and seemed to find it agreed with him.

Alan was a junior member of Birchfield Harriers where he ran competitively over the country and a little later on the track.

He ran his first marathon at the age of 19 and from then on road running became his main interest, but with age he now enjoys triathlon. The multisport mix of running, swimming and biking refreshed him from continuous run training and has allowed him to explore more of this wonderful area.

He wears many hats working fulltime at the Abernethy Outdoor centre, in his spare time doing garden work and leading guided fishing trips on the Spey.

"The best thing about running for me is that anybody can do it and everyone can set their own targets from simply feeling fitter to the challenge of a big race."

 

Mark Allan (Jog Leader/Events Co-ordinator) - a good runner at an early age who has recently returned to the sport.

Mark has been involved in sport from a very young age, and played football at a good level when he was younger. He always enjoyed running and was undefeated in his age-group throughout high school at any middle- to long-distance event. He never got the chance to move his running on though, as he was so heavily involved with football. A couple of years ago, Mark hung up his football boots and rekindled his love for running - although he also enjoys cycling, the gym, hill walking, anything that is active and outdoors, really!

For his 40th birthday, Mark completed an extreme charity 7-day hiking/climbing adventure in South Africa and the group raised an amazing £25k for children with cerebral palsy - which also gave him the charity bug as he enjoys raising money whenever possible for others less fortunate.

"I'd love to be able to help others to achieve their goals, whether it's to complete a half marathon or to jog for 5 minutes, and I'm looking forward to helping as a Jog Leader."

Melanie Clouston (Jog Leader/Assistant Events Coordinator) - "Running is great, whether it is to meet new people, have fun, get fit or shape up, you can achieve your goal."

Mel started running at the beginning of last year after a friend suggested attending the running club, having never run a day in her life but with an outlook to try anything once (and she did think it would only be ONCE), she quickly became hooked. Initially she was captivated by the social side as the Club is great fun and then on the running itself.  After seven months and with a lot of hard work, Mel ran her first ever event, the Aviemore Half Marathon.

When not running Mel works as a ranger, and in her spare time she enjoys taking part in a variety of activities including skiing, sailing, walking, canoeing and sea kayaking, basically anything which gets her into the outdoors.
 

Tim Rust (Webmaster/Jog Leader) - Only started running in Nov 2009.

Tim began running in Winter 2009 when the ice, snow and dark evenings restricted the cycling that he had been enjoying for the previous 6 months, following a prolonged period of distinct inactivity.

His sole running challenge for the year was the Aviemore Half Marathon in 2010, but has already taken part in various 10km and 10mile events.



"The Club has quickly become a big part of my life, and while it's enabled me to develop my fitness and control my weight, I've also found some great friends too in the process.  I've gained so much from being a Cairngorm Runner for such a short period of time, I felt it was already time to offer something back."

 

Melissa Wall (PR/Media Co-ordinator & Social Convenor/Jog Leader/jogworks Leader) found that perseverance pays.

Melissa started running in 2006 (despite having never run for a bus before) and decided to give running a go to improve her overall fitness.

She now regularly takes part in 10km races all over the Highlands and has completed 3 triathlons and 4 half marathons. She is now passionate about running, gym exercise and nutrition and is a qualified jogscotland and jogworks Leader.

Her advice to anyone thinking about taking up running is "start slowly, recognise the small improvements (they all count!), congratulate yourself for getting out there in the fresh air (after all, our surrounding area is a runner's paradise!) and most of all enjoy it and the benefits it will bring to mind and body".

"I never feel more alive than when I'm running."
 

Wendy Grigor (Jog Leader) - began as a loyal race supporter and now turned runner.

Wendy's husband Sandy is an accomplished runner and jog leader and she got into running as a result of supporting Sandy when he was competing in events. Around 4 years ago she was inspired to take up running mainly to help keep her fit.

Wendy completed her first 5K at a jogscotland event at Elgin, Cooper Park in 2007, which was a proud moment for her as she never thought she would complete the distance. Since then she has completed 10K races and several half marathons - who knows she might one day take part in a Marathon!

In March 2010 Wendy became a jog leader and enjoys supporting and being able to encourage others to run.

 

Annie Fraser (Jog Leader) is an enthusiastic runner who likes to encourage other runners to reach their goals at whatever level.

Annie started running to keep fit, have space on her own and retain her sanity as a young mum.  20 years later, her children who are adults now run with her!  She has taken part in a variety of competitions from 5k to half-marathons, duathlon and triathlon. Her favourite distance is 10miles off-road and she loves exploring the trail network on our doorstep. Annie joined the club in 2008 and enjoys meeting people while keeping fit and having a blether.

Annie also enjoys mountain biking, walking, wakeboarding and took up skiing last year.

"If I can run, anybody can." 
 

Val Machin (Jog Leader) is an experienced athlete who's participated in events both near and far...

Val began running in 1978 and it’s been a very important part of her life ever since.

She has always belonged to a club, depending on where she's living, but admits Cairngorm Runners takes the honours for commitment, enthusiasm and friendliness - tops!

Val says "I love the fitness, the fun and the friendship, and have been lucky enough to run and race all over the world, including the Himalayas - what you might call a peak experience!"

"Being a jog leader means that I get an opportunity to put something back into our sport and our club... and what’s not to love about that fantastic scenery we can enjoy whilst training.  See you out there... "

Claire McKinlay-Jarvis (Jog Leader) began running again in April 2010 and is the youngest jog leader in our club.

Claire returned to running in the Spring of 2010 as she wanted to get fitter. 

Claire has already taken part in several events in her first year with the Club and says "the support from everyone is a real encouragement.  I became a jog leader to help others acheive their goals just as I was helped to acheive mine.  It's nice to but something back into a great sport and Club."

Claire says "Cairngorm Runners helped me get much fitter in a fun filled friendly atmosphere and I suddenly became hooked on the sport again".

 

Mark Thomas (Jog Leader) - returned to running last year after a hip replacement operation.

Mark lives in Newtonmore, and was a member of the 'Wolves of Badenoch' - a running club that no longer exists. He has been running for many years, but had to give up when his hip started to deteriorate. He is enjoying returning to running and hopes he will eventually manage to lose the extra two stone he gained whilst not being able to run.

He has done three marathons - the last being the London back in 1999 in the very respectable time of 3:45.

Mark's other interests are Mountain Biking and Sea Kayaking.

"Without my running, I doubt my recovery from the hip replacement would have been as swift and complete. Running brings all sorts of benefits."
 

Kirsteen Collie (Jog Leader) - Took up running to manage her weight after quitting smoking.

Kirsteen used to be in the Royal Navy and came out in 1998. She has a son who is now 13 and she's getting married in April 2012.

She took up running 4 years ago when she quit smoking and couldn't afford to put on more weight.  Kirsteen remembers already being 3 stone overweight and knew running was key to getting back in shape.  She started doing the Inverness 10k runs in October three years ago and has enjoyed many races ever since.  Kirsteen recently became a jog leader to help others realise their goals.

"My running has increased over the years and I find it a sport without boundaries.  Life was too unpredictable to keep to Keep Fit class times.  You can throw on your trainers and just go running at any time of the day."
 

Jacqui Dick (Jog Leader) - Hopes to share her love of running with others.

Jacqui is a good runner and used her experience to become a jog leader because she wanted to be able to give back a little to the Club.  She believes that being a member of the Club and walking, jogging or running makes such a difference to a person's health and fitness.

Jacqui thinks the most enjoyable part of jog leading is seeing everyone progressing each week and the support all members give to each other.

Jacqui says: "I want to be able to inspire people to enjoy running as much as I do by sharing my experiences with them and the knowledge I have gained from being part of the club".

Charlotte Kissack (Treasurer/Jog Leader) - The new one chasing you for your money!!

Charlotte joined Cairngorm Runners in 2009 after many months of deliberating whether to do so due to worries of her "wee trot not being up to a running club standard".  Charlotte quickly discovered that the Club was about making great friends and through a strong support network pushing yourself as far as you want to go.  

Since joining the Club Charlotte has taken part in half marathons, 10k's and some great fun, if very muddy, adventure races. Not only that, her fitness has improved and she has met some really wonderful people.

When not running Charlotte enjoys skiing, walking, mountain biking, climbing (depending on the weather!) and baking (and eating) cakes!

Charlotte says: "Cairngorm Runners has played a massive part in not only my overall fitness and my belief in myself as a runner, but has also allowed me to make some great friends. I was much more of a short distance sprinter before I joined the Club and by training with them have been able to cover distances I never thought possible. In 2011 I am even doing my first marathon (gulp)!

Being a Jog Leader is a fantastic way of supporting others to achieve their goals and it is great to see the smiles and sense of achievement at the end of a run on everyone's faces."


 

Ally Lay (Jog Leader) - started running in 2009 as a means of losing weight.

Ally was bitten by the running bug and now enjoys running marathons, half-marathons and triathlons.

His personal highlight was completing the 2011 Paris marathon in April 2011.  Ally has been so taken by the benefits of running that he has persuaded his brother to join the Club and he has also become a keen runner too! 

Ally  is now looking forward to running the Loch Ness marathon with his brother.

Ally comments: “Running is for everyone. That’s what Cairngorm Runners taught me.  I became a Jog Leader to help others discover the wonderful benefits that being a Cairngorm Runner provides!”